'one of our finest singer/songwriters' Bob Harris. Acoustic, Americana. Vocal coach, guitar/ ukulele tutor. Music columnist Evening News/Songwriting Magazine. DJ at Future Radio
I’m really excited to be running beginner ukulele and guitar courses at Wensum Lodge for the first time starting April 25th. They are part of a programme of new and exciting creative, language and wellbeing courses which include Stained Glass; Botanical Art and Architectural Drawing; Latin; Philosophy; Textiles upcycling and alterations; Yoga; Polish language; Photography and Creative Writing. Here are some nice new flyers from Adult Learning for the courses and there are also taster sessions happening next week. To find out more details and to book, please visit here
Introduction to Guitar and Ukulele Taster sessionsCommunity Singing Sessions – Warming up
How joyous is this photo! The community singing sessions I have been running at Earlham Library and The Millennium Library in Norwich have been lots of fun to do and so rewarding too. To hear comments from people saying that I’ve made their day and really cheered them up means such a lot. I’ve also had some great song requests and it’s been lovely to see people coming back each week to sing classic songs together. Thanks so much to everyone who has come along to a session and all the kind words. There are video clips of some of the singalongs at The Millennium Library’s Facebook Page
A community singing session at Earlham Library, NorwichSinging at the The Norfolk and Norwich Millennium LibraryA lovely piece at Folk Features on why singing and music means so much to me
I’m also looking forward to playing some gigs and festivals soon. Check out the shows page where I will be posting details of live shows.
Live at the Canopy Theatre, Suffolk. Photo by Rodney Kidd
I’ve been wanting to do something positive and inspiring for awhile that reflects my passion for music and singing and could really make a difference to those who are struggling with their mental health or loneliness at the moment. I’m really excited to be running some free, fun and informal community singing sessions at the Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library starting Tuesday 22nd February 2.30pm – 3.30pm – also at Earlham Library at 11.00am – 12pm on the same day – and then every Tuesday for 6 weeks.
Try these new singing sessions to boost your wellbeing where we’ll be singing a selection of classic, well known songs to uplift, connect and make you smile. No previous experience is required and there is no need to read music. All are welcome – feel to come along and drop in on the day. Here’s a piece I’ve written about the sessions for my friends at All Things Norfolk on why singing and music is so important to me.
Come and join me to have fun, connect with others and improve our wellbeing through a shared singing experience!
Teaching Guitar for Beginners starting in April
I’m also really excited to be running two 10 week beginner courses in guitar and ukulele at Wensum Lodge in Norwich starting in the summer term for Norfolk County Council. I can’t wait to share my passion for teaching both instruments and to help you learn the basic skills to get you started with playing chords and strumming. More information about the guitar course is here
Teaching a Ukulele for Beginners Course – Starting in April
It has been really fun, and a new creative challenge, to try some acting and work as a supporting artist recently on a variety of drama and documentary programmes. It’s really exciting finally seeing some of the TV projects that I’ve worked on finally hitting the screen. Now on britbox, “Magpie Murders” which was filmed in beautiful Suffolk and where I played a nurse:
Also on Netflix is “Catching Killers” – being a cop!
Now showing on American subscription streaming service Acorn TV is the brand new series of Emmy Award-nominated mystery drama “Queens of Mystery”. It was a lot of fun to appear in episode “The Modern Art of Murder” Pictured here on set in London with brilliant actresses Julie Graham, Siobhan Redmond and Florence Hall.
“Let Go” Live at the Canopy Theatre, Suffolk. Jason French on fiddle
I’ve been going through some live performances from the past few months when it was great to play again to audiences. Thanks to Rodney Kidd for filming original song “Let Go” live from The Canopy Theatre, Hungate Church, Beccles, Suffolk for Martello Promotions~ a lovely headline show in September 2021. Jason French on fiddle.
Performing original song “Carolina Rain” from a lovely Women in Music Day at The Brickmakers Norwich. Jason French on fiddle. Thanks to Liz for filming.
A live solo performance this time. Always really nice to perform at Deepdale Festival in beautiful Burnham Deepdale, North Norfolk. Thanks to Karl for getting some footage of the show on iPhone.
Lisa Redford “Here Alone” Live at Canopy Theatre, Suffolk
Another performance from Canopy Theatre, Suffolk: “Here Alone” with Jason French on fiddle. More live performances on my YouTube channel.
Lisa Redford ‘Anything But Easy’ | Under the Apple Tree Session
Ahead of some live concerts, I’m excited to share this never seen before live session for Whispering Bob Harris #UnderTheAppleTree which has been uploaded to my YouTube channel. Performing ‘Anything But Easy’ awhile back. The brilliant musician and dear friend Alan Cook on dobro. Thanks to Bob & all at #UTAT for the lovely memory & their support of #indieartists Thanks for watching.
My first headline show in a long, long time is next month. Performing in Beccles, Suffolk for Martello Promotions who promote the finest acoustic music in the North Suffolk area. Tickets are available online here It would be lovely if you can join me for what will be a very special night. I’m also booking other gigs – all details will be on the show page.
I’ve been continuing to record and perform live acoustic covers for Rob Butler’s show on BBC Radio Norfolk. Some of them have been uploaded to my SoundCloud page and here’s a live video of me playing Bruce Springsteen’s anthem ‘Dancing in the Dark’
My various creative activities have included doing some more writing for Songwriting Magazine. My my recent feature is a review of Gary Barlow’s songwriting course for BBC Maestro. Check out the review here
I’ve also been doing some acting! It’s been really fun to be part of the cast for various shows including a history and music documentary series. Will be sure to reveal more details when they are broadcast. More photos on my Instagram
Part of the cast in a history documentary series. Details to follow.
Playing a rock chick in upcoming music documentary series
BBC Radio Norfolk music feature for Rob Butler’s show
It’s been really fun to be part of a new regular music feature for Rob Butler’s show on BBC Radio Norfolk where I’ve recorded live acoustic covers from the 80’s and beyond, as well as Britpop tracks and Pride anthems. Rob previously featured the Future Radio fundraising single ‘This Fine City’ and interviewed me about it for Norwich City fanzine show The Scrimmage. So far I have performed six brilliant songs: the classic pop of Erasure’s ‘A Little Respect’, Tom Petty’s anthemic ‘I Won’t Back Down’, ‘Slide Away” by Oasis, ‘Inbetween Days’ The Cure and most recently ‘So in Love’ by OMD. I’ve also covered ‘Jolene’ by the one and Dolly Parton and you can see a live performance on YouTube as well as hear the version on my Soundcloud page Keep listening to Rob’s show (Monday – Wednesday evenings) for my next covers challenge!
Dolly Parton ‘Jolene’ acoustic cover
Broadcast for International Women’s Day
It was lovely to be part of a very exciting and creative broadcast being played across the U.K. for this year’s International Women’s Day. I was among 30 female artists from across the country invited to write & recorded a brand new piece in under a day to be broadcast on community radio stations around the country, including Future Radio. The full #internationalwomensday broadcast is now available to listen to online at SoundCloud – my original piece written ‘Wings to Fly’ is at 11:30 https://soundcloud.com/soundart-radio
Safe Rescue for Dogs feature for All Things Norfolk
I wrote about the IWD broadcast in one of my recent columns for All Things Norfolk. I also shared details of ‘One in the Crowd’ – acoustic charity single for Safe Rescue for Dogs – and it was lovely to receive airplay on various radio stations for the song as well as getting to talk about it and introduce it on a BBC Upload show – a show that showcases local creative talent of all kinds. Thanks also to Belles and Gals for this lovely article about the song and for having me perform recently for one of their #UKCMSA live-streams.
BBC Upload
After writing a feature for the winter issue, it’s lovely to have contributed another new article ‘Lessons Learned in Lockdown’ to the brilliant spring issue of Songwriting Magazine. The new issue is packed with tips, news, reviews, gear and interviews featuring Diane Warren, Teenage Fanclub, Hailey Whitters, Tom Grennan, Newton Faulkner, Peggy Seegar and more. Available at Pocketmags here
Please take a moment to watch this touching video that charity Safe Rescue for Dogs have put together, giving an insight into the amazing work they do rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming dogs from the UK and abroad.
I have written and recorded the music in the video to the words by one of the team Kelly Hare. On reading her touching and heartfelt poem I was moved to help them raise funds and awareness for all the hard work this very small team do to save dogs in dreadful conditions in the shelters.
If you would like to find out more and donate, take a look at their Facebook page. As a small charity they rely solely on the kindness and generosity of people to enable them to carry on rescuing and caring for the dogs. So lovely to see that there has been some money raised already.
I’ve also done a live acoustic performance from home on YouTube and written all about the inspiration and charity in a feature for All Things Norfolk
It was lovely to talk about the song and hear it played on BBC Radio Norfolk this week. Listen again to Rob Butler’s show here at 1.17. Also next week I’ll be part of a fun brand new music feature on his show, starting Monday with an 80’s cover.
Lisa Redford in Songwriting Magazine for their #keepsongwriting pledge
I’ve written articles and interviewed acclaimed artists for the brilliant Songwriting Magazine. I have also written a feature in the latest Winter issue. Songwriting is the UK’s only publication dedicated to writing songs. Aimed at songwriters and their fans alike, expect up-to-date music news, reviews and artist interviews as well as lots of practical, hands-on advice.
Very proud to be a part of their #keepsongwriting campaign where they are sharing tips and quotes, as well as highlighting the importance of creativity through these difficult times and championing those who have vowed not to stop creating original music in 2021.
Happy New Year! wishing you all a very happy and safe new year. Thanks so much for supporting me. Here’s a little version of original song New Year’s Day all about getting through a difficult time and looking to the future with hope. Full live studio version available on Spotify and Bandcamp Thank you for watching and here’s hoping for a brighter 2021
Huge thanks to Vanilla Magazine for this lovely new interview about my passion for teaching music and online music sessions 🎸🎤
Fancy having some vocal lessons or learning guitar or ukulele? I can also provide songwriting classes and help you develop any ideas. I would love to hear from you and am also offering special block booking deals.
Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas. Thanks so much to all of you who have supported my music and teaching during what has been such a challenging year for so many of us. In the words of this lovely Greg Lake song which I have covered acoustically:
‘I wish you a hopeful Christmas. I wish you a brave New Year. All anguish, pain and sadness. Leave your heart and let your road be clear.’ Keep safe and here’s hoping for a brighter 2021.
‘This Fine City’ Live Acoustic Version
Thanks so much to everyone who has supported fundraising single for Future Radio#ThisFineCity a song of hope and community during this difficult time. I wrote the song on my acoustic guitar so thought I would share with you a live acoustic version of the song not long after I had finished it ~ thank you so much for watching and singing along!
I know we’ve been low, living the unknown I believe within these city walls We’ll rise above – it all ❤️
Huge thanks to all the radio shows that have played the song and interviewed me about it including Foz at BBC Radio Suffolk, The Acoustic Cafe Radio Show, Readit Radio Show, Acoustic Routes, Blues and Roots radio (online from Canada), Radio Nowhere (online from USA), Online radio Box.Reach On Air, CHBN, Forest Folk, Radio Stradbroke and many more mentioned in the previous post. I also chatted to Rob Butler for Norwich City show The Scrimmage on BBC Radio Norfolk and introduced the single on the BBC Upload show with Sophie Little: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p08zgktw
I also did a nice interview for Vanilla magazine here
Songwriting Magazine Winter 2020 issue.
As many of you know I love to write about music and songwriting and am excited to see my article On Location featuring in the new Winter issue of Songwriting Magazine Inspired by the recent fundraising single for Future Radio which was written about #Norwich I have looked into how location has provided inspiration for various acclaimed songwriters.
The Winter 2020 issue #23 features Gary Barlow, Wayne Coyne, Bróna McVittie, KT Tunstall, Tom Walker, Elles Bailey, Blair Dunlop, Passenger, Mike Batt and more. Purchase through Pocketmags here
A little Christmas treat for you all! Just filmed some live acoustic session songs for my YouTube channel including original festive song ‘When Christmas Comes Around’ which was recently played on BBC Suffolk Introducing and BBC Radio Norfolk. I also played two older songs as special requests – ‘Turn Away’ and ‘When You Come Home’ – it’s been really nice to revisit some of my older material. Thank you so much for watching and all the support this year.
So excited that fundraising single “This Fine City” was released on Friday ~ a heartfelt, anthemic celebration of #Norwich that I have written especially for Future Radio featuring a whole host of talented friends and musicians: Ecky Limon from the Blue Joanna (name checked in the song!), Scott Mathieson, Andrew Todd (amazing production!), Owen Sennitt, Yve Mary B, Callum Morgan from Morganway, Chad Mason, Hannah White, Russell McNamara and Teresa Gibbon. Thanks so much to all the talented friends and artists – including many Future volunteers – who were a part of this very special project. Huge thanks of course to all the hard working team at Future Radio. Please listen, donate and share the Bandcamp link below – all funds raised from the single will help Future to relocate to a new home – let’s help them find a new studio!
Already been receiving lots of great press for the single. Was lovely to be Story of the Day at Folk Features – Uplifting stories for Norfolk and Suffolk, brought to you by Emma Outten:
Article at Folk Features
I’ve also written a column for my friends at All Things Norfolk about the making of “This Fine City” read the article here
So lovely that the song has already touched people and really resonated. Here’s a beautiful review from Richard Shashamane for his Norwich: Music City, UK Blog:
Immediately upon my first listening to this rousing celebration of Norwich and hope for the future I felt renewed optimism as well as being quite moved by the heartfelt love of the city so sincerely expressed in song. Joyous and triumphant in its hope.
This Fine City video still
There has also been some lovely BBC airplay for ‘This Fine City’ over the weekend! Thanks to BBC Music Introducing in Norfolk and BBC Music Introducing in Suffolk plus the single was played on Stephen Foster’s BBC Radio Norfolk and BBC Radio Suffolk show on the week from 6pm. Listen via BBC Sounds. I have been recording a few interviews including one with Good Health Radio in Australia. This will available on Monday October 19. I have also been doing some interviews for local television including That’s TV East – video here Also this Tuesday October 20 Ecky Limon and I talked about the single on ITN News Anglia and played a snippet of the song outside the Blue Joanna.
Interview on ITV News Anglia
Playing “This Fine City” outside The Blue Joanna, Norwich with Ecky Limon on guitar
Been doing lots of radio interviews to promote the single and it was lovely to chat to David Eastaugh for arts and culture show Platform, all about the inspiration for the song. You can hear the interview at: https://futureradio.co.uk/futureplayer/mixcloudplayer/3632
Huge thanks to Jamie at Grapevine Live Magazine – remember performing for the Grapevine Live stage at Ipswich Music Day – for a lovely interview all about the single here
As you know, I love to have my songs remixed and it’s been wonderful to work again with Neil Timbers who has done a brilliant electronic remix of ‘The Edge of Love’
I’ve been busy with a few creative projects and excited that I have written an original song for Future Radio in Norwich. The photo above is from a video shoot for the #fundraising single release. “This Fine City” will be released to coincide with #LocalRadioDay & features a host of talented friends and artists from Norfolk. More news soon!
I love to collaborate on music projects and also to perform other artists’s material – it really inspires me and my own writing – so I’ve really enjoyed interpreting this lovely, heartfelt song written by Kate Raison, a talented songwriter who I met during Chris Difford’s Songwriting Retreat last year. Here is also an acoustic demo of the song that I’ve recorded: https://soundcloud.com/user-466575967/dont-tell-me-that-you-love-me-tonight-demo-sung-by-lisa-redford
Thrilled to be in the beautiful new video by artist Megan O’Neill for her single Fire with Fire — a powerful and amazing celebration of women and women in music – alongside incredible female artists, please watch: Thank you Megan for this incredible message
“heartfelt lyrics, beautiful vocal harmonies & a gentle melody. Lisa brings out first class lyrics alongside haunting string instruments & scenic visuals.” Huge thanks to worldwide platform Music Crowns for a brilliant review of Edge of Love:
Really enjoyed the recent Sheryl Crow BBC Radio 2 #livefromhome#festival performance ❤️🎵 always loved this fantastic song of hers “Sad Sad World” from a special edition of her self-titled album released in 1996.
Not long before #lockdown my CD’s were made available to buy at HMV Norwich – check them out now and support #liveandlocal brilliant how they’re supporting local independent artists.
I hope that you’re keeping safe and well. As many of you know from my social media posts, I’ve been continuing to keep creative with various projects and live streams and I really enjoyed putting this special clips video together for my song “Summer on the L” – all about my time living in New York City – making friends and memories, the highs and lows, and performing and recording there as an artist.
Footage includes clips from inside and outside the Dakota Building, Times Square, Brooklyn, Central Park, 4th of July fireworks, Governors Island, the short film ‘Q to the 6 Train’ (for which I wrote the original score) as well as recording in the studio and live performances from The New York Songwriters Circle and Alive with Clive TV show. Thanks so much for watching this very personal video and all the love for this particular song during my recent live streams.
I always love collaborating with other artists and also hearing my songs remixed. Thanks to Phillip Coady – who has remixed tracks of mine in the past, on SoundCloud – for this gorgeous, dreamy electronic mix of ‘Edge of Love’ ❤️ the title track of my latest EP. Thanks for giving it a listen and huge thanks to Park RadioBBC SuffolkBBC Music Introducing in Suffolk for the airplay.
Country in the Kitchen podcast
It was lovely to be interviewed for Country In The Kitchen Podcast last week; a great podcast that features guests from the UK independent country music scene. I talked to host Tessa-Leanne Snart about being creative during lockdown with the release of ‘From Afar’, being an independent artist and arts/music columnist, the UK country music scene and more. The episode, Volume 15, is now available to listen to and download at PodbeaniTunes and Spotify
I’ve also recorded a live acoustic session for Russell Hill’s Country Music Show. This will be broadcast on Sunday August 9th between 11am and 2pm.
Live acoustic session for Reepham Festival
Live stream gig at Facebook
Talking of live music, I’ve been doing some acoustic live streams from my own Facebook and also for festivals including Buckle and Boots and SW20 spring festival. I’m planning more and always love to hear your requests. This weekend on Saturday August 8th I’m doing a special acoustic live session for Reepham Festival between 6pm and 9pm I’ve also been continuing to play acoustic requests at my YouTube channel including this beautiful and timeless Sandy Denny song.
Cover of Sandy Denny “Who Knows Where the Time Goes”
I’ve still been getting lots of love for lockdown single ‘From Afar’ and recently posted a ukulele version – thanks so much to those of you who have purchased the song from my Bandcamp page
